Contributor I

Sonos setup recommendation for 4000 sq ft workshop with 16' walls and 27' open ceiling peak

Forum|Forum|30 days ago
September 5, 2026
36 replies
226 views

I’m new to Sonos and am looking to setup my workshop with a Sonos system that will give smooth and immersive sound throughout. I’m thinking potentially four Era 100 speakers in the corners at about 10’ high and either another pair of 100’s or a pair of 300’s in the middle firing towards the center.

The workshop is 50’x80’ with 16’ walls and 27’ peaked open ceiling. Walls are insulated metal panels so will likely have high reflectivity, but the space has relatively low to moderate slap echo. One of the short sides is drywall with fully OSB sheeting behind and full rockwool insulation, which might explain some reduction in echo.

I’d like to be able to start with a pair or four speakers and then add to them to spread expense. I figure I’ll eventually have to add a subwoofer as well at some point. Not having any experience with Sonos, I’m open to suggestions about what to purchase and use in such an application. I ordered two Era 100SL speakers to start, but could always return them if needed. I listened to a large automotive workshop that had 8 Sonos One speakers and two subs that sounded absolutely amazing, especially at high volume levels. I don’t need such high volume levels but would like smooth evenly distributed sound.

If anyone has experience with setting up a large space like this and could make recommendations, I would appreciate it. Also, I’m not sure whether Era 100SL, Era 300, and potentially an Era 100 Alexa enabled speaker could all be integrated together. Also not sure whether to run them in stereo pairs or all mono. Please chime in with any advice.

Cheers!

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Airgetlam

Just so you’re aware, any Sonos 5.1 system that has specific channel speakers requires a soundbar from Sonos. They have ‘built in’ the necessary front 3 channels and separate speakers. If you chose some of your own ‘front’ speakers, the only thing that can be used currently is the Sonos Amp, which uses those two fronts to generate a faux center channel.

Bruce

AjTrek1

You mentioned that you setup “two pairs” of Sonos Era 100’s. That means that each pair is a separate room which is fine; assuming they are stereo pairs. You can group them to play in sync. If each speaker is its own room (stand-a-lone) then you have four (4) rooms.

Just know that when using TruePlay it’s “room specific”. Meaning you have to TruePlay each room individually.

Additionally, in a space the size of yours I’d not recommend selecting Advance Tuning. Instead use Quick Tuning.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

Mr. T

If you have Era 100 SL speakers, as per the order in your initial post, Quick Tuning will not be available to you as the SL speakers have no microphone.

AjTrek1

If you have Era 100 SL speakers, as per the order in your initial post, Quick Tuning will not be available to you as the SL speakers have no microphone.

The OP says they were able to integrate Alexa so they must have regular Era 100’s

.

I was able to integrate with Alexa, as well as add my Spotify and Sirius accounts to the Sonos app. ..

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

Mr. T

If you have Era 100 SL speakers, as per the order in your initial post, Quick Tuning will not be available to you as the SL speakers have no microphone.

The OP says they were able to integrate Alexa so they must have regular Era 100’s

.

I was able to integrate with Alexa, as well as add my Spotify and Sirius accounts to the Sonos app. ..

The Sonos skill can be added to Alexa without having any voice controlled Sonos devices.

Edit:

Also, I ordered another pair of Era 100s so will be setting up four Era 100s in the corners tomorrow to start. I’m hoping to use an Echo I have already which controls a receiver and a pair of B&W monitors (via aux cable) to control the Era’s. I understand that they are separate so will not expect them to play in phase.

This statement also implies they went for the SL version.

AjTrek1

If you have Era 100 SL speakers, as per the order in your initial post, Quick Tuning will not be available to you as the SL speakers have no microphone.

The OP says they were able to integrate Alexa so they must have regular Era 100’s

.

I was able to integrate with Alexa, as well as add my Spotify and Sirius accounts to the Sonos app. ..

The Sonos skill can be added to Alexa without having any voice controlled Sonos devices.

Well suffice it to say there are misleading queues in the OP’s response(s). There’s mention of using Trueplay as well as Alexa. We’ll have to let the OP confirm if they have Era 100 or Era 100SL speakers. That said I nominate you to educate the OP. 😂

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

L

Lardog888Author

Contributor I

If you have Era 100 SL speakers, as per the order in your initial post, Quick Tuning will not be available to you as the SL speakers have no microphone.

I was able to use “Trueplay” in the app which used my phone as the microphone. It had me walk the room moving my phone up and down while it played sounds through the paired speakers.

I’m not sure it’s better than using them as mono since I have 6 speakers in the same room. When I added speakers 5 and 6 I’m not sure it improved much and that pair may end up on my patio under cover.

L

Lardog888Author

Contributor I

If you have Era 100 SL speakers, as per the order in your initial post, Quick Tuning will not be available to you as the SL speakers have no microphone.

The OP says they were able to integrate Alexa so they must have regular Era 100’s

.

I was able to integrate with Alexa, as well as add my Spotify and Sirius accounts to the Sonos app. ..

The Sonos skill can be added to Alexa without having any voice controlled Sonos devices.

Edit:

Also, I ordered another pair of Era 100s so will be setting up four Era 100s in the corners tomorrow to start. I’m hoping to use an Echo I have already which controls a receiver and a pair of B&W monitors (via aux cable) to control the Era’s. I understand that they are separate so will not expect them to play in phase.

This statement also implies they went for the SL version.

The Era 100SL’s I purchased definitely support Trueplay, but I don’t know if it’s beneficial or not. I may try just running all of them in mono mode since they’re all at least 20-30 feet of each other and I don’t feel that any soundstaging is happening. It’s more of an immersive experience...

Mr. T

@Lardog888 - The Era 100 SLs support Advanced Trueplay using a compatible iOS device. The mic-enabled Era 100 also support a version of Trueplay called Quick Tuning which relies on the speaker’s microphone to self-tune, rather than requiring the user to walk around the room.

Personally, I would have a couple of mic-enabled Era 100s and use Sonos Voice Control (SVC), rather than relying on an Echo for voice control.

i would experiment with the Zone feature in the Sonos app for your space. It is simple enough to disband the Zone if you want to revert back to separate “rooms” and grouping.

L

Lardog888Author

Contributor I

Just so you’re aware, any Sonos 5.1 system that has specific channel speakers requires a soundbar from Sonos. They have ‘built in’ the necessary front 3 channels and separate speakers. If you chose some of your own ‘front’ speakers, the only thing that can be used currently is the Sonos Amp, which uses those two fronts to generate a faux center channel.

If I go this route, I will definitely go with a full Sonos setup. Most likely with the Ultra Immersive set with Arc Ultra. The room is pretty large (kitchen, dining, family with 15’ peaked ceiling) and an 85” TV, so seems like the best option. I would hate to spend the money on a Beam setup and not feel like it’s enough.

I am curious and hopeful that the enhancement for dialog options that Stanley_4 mentioned are everything I’m hoping they will be. Both my wife and myself struggle to understand everything Jack Reacher is saying. Haha

Although I’m sad to potentially see a solid Bowers & Wilkins 5 speaker system and Sony recieiver be decommissioned, I’m open to embrace new technology. I just don’t want to plunge and regret...

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